MPAC condemned the actions of extremists who have killed hundreds over the past two days in Pakistan, Kenya and Iraq. This abhorrent violence has taken the lives of innocent women, men and children as they were engaged in daily activities in houses of worship, malls and even funerals.

In Pakistan more than 75 Christian worshippers were killed by dual suicide bombers as they were leaving a historic church in northwestern Pakistan. The church was providing the hungry with free meals and has lined up worshipers in the main courtyard of the church as the two simultaneous blasts rocked the building.

“Those who have committed this heinous act have gone beyond basic principles of humanity,” said Salam Al-Marayati, MPAC President. “There is no cause that can justify the killing and maiming of young children, the elderly and the most innocent in society. This perverted mindset that sheds blood without regards to any humanity must be confronted and challenged by all of us; we must all work together to fight this type of extremism.”

In Kenya a hostage crises continues to unfold as members of the Somali terrorist group Al-Shabab have taken over a mall, killed over 68 people and have taken dozens of people hostage. Al-Shabab has continued to be pushed by government forces and the Somali people and have not taken their reign of terror beyond the Somali borders and have now attacked innocent civilians in Kenya.

The same type of senseless violence has continued to plague Iraq as well. Over the weekend close to more than 100 members of the Shia community were killed in attacks around the country.

In just one attack 72 mourners were killed as they gathered to engage in funeral services in Baghdad’s Sadr city. As people of conscience we must work together to push back against this type of senseless and barbaric violence. As an interconnected world, we must do everything we can to ensure that our shared future is more positive than our current state.